Image forming system, information processing apparatus, and image forming method

ABSTRACT

To provide an image forming system capable of preventing printing that is not intended by a user, an image forming system includes a server capable of storing image data and an image forming apparatus connected to the server via a network and configured to form an image. The image forming apparatus includes an inquiring unit, a determining unit, a requesting unit, and an instructing unit. The inquiring unit is configured to inquire the server for a printing condition of the image data in a case where an input of a registration ID is accepted by an accepting unit, the printing condition being registered in association with the image data. The requesting unit is configured to request the server for downloading of the image data in a case where the determining unit determines that the image forming apparatus conforms with the printing condition. The instructing unit is configured to control an image forming unit to form the image on a sheet, based on the image data downloaded from the server.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based upon, and claims the benefit of priority from,corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-233495 filed in theJapan Patent Office on Dec. 5, 2017, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

This disclosure relates to an image forming system, an informationprocessing apparatus, and an image forming method.

Description of Related Art

A technique relating to an image formation via a network is known.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of this disclosure, an image forming system includes aserver capable of storing image data and an image forming apparatusconnected to the server via a network and configured to form an image.

The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, an acceptingunit, an inquiring unit, a receiving unit, a determining unit, arequesting unit, and an instructing unit. The image forming unit isconfigured to form the image on a sheet, based on the image data. Theaccepting unit is configured to accept an input of a registration ID,which is registered in association with the image data. The inquiringunit is configured to inquire the server for a printing condition of theimage data in a case where the input of the registration ID is acceptedby the accepting unit, the printing condition being registered inassociation with the image data. The receiving unit is configured toreceive the printing condition, which is transmitted from the server.The determining unit is configured to determine whether the imageforming apparatus conforms with the printing condition received by thereceiving unit. The requesting unit is configured to request the serverfor downloading of the image data in a case where the determining unitdetermines that the image forming apparatus conforms with the printingcondition. The instructing unit is configured to control the imageforming unit to form the image on the sheet, based on the image datadownloaded from the server.

The server includes a storage unit, a first transmitting unit, and adownloading unit. The storage unit is configured to store theregistration ID and the printing condition in association with the imagedata. The first transmitting unit is configured to transmit the printingcondition to the image forming apparatus in a case where the inquiringunit inquires for the printing condition. The downloading unit isconfigured to control the image forming apparatus to download the imagedata in a case where the requesting unit requests for downloading of theimage data.

In another aspect of this disclosure, an information processingapparatus is capable of storing image data and is connected via anetwork to an image forming apparatus that forms an image. Theinformation processing apparatus includes a storage unit, an acquiringunit, a determining unit, and a downloading unit. The storage unit isconfigured to store a registration ID and a printing condition inassociation with the image data. The acquiring unit is configured toacquire a printing condition of the image forming apparatus in responseto a request from the image forming apparatus for downloading of theimage data. The determining unit is configured to determine whether theprinting condition of the image forming apparatus, which is acquired bythe acquiring unit, conforms with the printing condition stored in thestorage unit in association with the image data. The downloading unit isconfigured to control the image forming apparatus to download the imagedata in a case where the determining unit determines that the printingcondition acquired by the acquiring unit conforms with the printingcondition stored in the storage unit.

In another aspect of this disclosure, in an image forming method, animage is formed by use of a server capable of storing image data and animage forming apparatus connected to the server via a network andconfigured to form an image. The image forming method includesaccepting, inquiring, receiving, determining, requesting, forming animage on a sheet, storing, transmitting a printing condition, andcontrolling to download. In the accepting, an input of a registrationID, which is registered in association with the image data, is acceptedby the image forming apparatus. In the inquiring, the server is inquiredfor a printing condition of the image data in a case where the input ofthe registration ID is accepted, the printing condition being registeredin association with the image data. In the receiving, the printingcondition, which is transmitted from the server, is received by theimage forming apparatus. In the determining, whether the image formingapparatus conforms with the received printing condition is determined.In the requesting, the server is requested for downloading of the imagedata in a case where it is determined that the image forming apparatusconforms with the printing condition. In the forming, the image isformed on the sheet, based on the image data downloaded from the server.In the storing, the registration ID and the printing condition is storedin the server in association with the image data. In the transmitting,the printing condition is transmitted to the image forming apparatus ina case where the server is inquired for the printing condition. In thecontrolling to download, the image forming apparatus is controlled todownload the image data in a case where the server is requested fordownloading of the image data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imageforming system according to an embodiment of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in a case ofdownloading image data from a server to a multifunction peripheral andforming an image on a sheet in an image forming system according to anembodiment of this disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in a case ofdownloading image data from a server to a multifunction peripheral andforming an image on a sheet in an image forming system according toanother embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Below is an explanation of an embodiment of this disclosure. Note thatthe same reference signs are assigned to the parts below that are commonor correspond to each other in the drawings, so that explanationsthereof are not repeated.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imageforming system according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Asillustrated in FIG. 1, an image forming system 27 according to anembodiment of this disclosure includes: a multifunction peripheral (MFP)11 as an image forming apparatus; a server 31 connected to the MFP 11via a network 26; and a computer 24 connected to the network 26. Theserver 31 may be configured to exist on what is termed as cloud. Thecomputer 24 is capable of registering image data or the like on theserver 31 via the network 26, that is, capable of storing image data inthe server 31.

Here, firstly, a configuration of the MFP 11 is explained. Relating toimage processing, the MFP 11 has multiple functions such as a copyfunction, a printer function, and a facsimile function. The MFP 11includes: a first control unit 12; an operating unit 13; an imagereading unit 14; an image forming unit 15; a paper feeding cassette 16;an MFP hard disk 17 serving as a storage unit; and an MFP networkinterface unit 18 that functions as a receiving unit and is forconnecting to the network 26. The MFP 11 is installed, for example, in aconvenience store. In this case, the network 26 is the Internet.

The first control unit 12 includes a primary storage memory 19 fortemporarily storing data and is configured with a processor, a RAM(Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. Theprocessor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC, an MCU, or thelike. The first control unit 12 functions as a below-described inquiringunit 41, etc., and entirely controls the MFP 11 when a control programstored in the above-described ROM or primary storage memory 19 isexecuted by the above-described processor. Note that each component ofthe first control unit 12 as described above may be configured with ahardware circuit, not by operation based on the above-described controlprogram.

The operating unit 13 accepts an input from a user relating to imageformation, e.g., conditions for image formation such as the number ofprinting copies and gradation. The operating unit 13, which operates asan accepting unit, accepts an input of a registration ID, which isregistered in association with image data. The operating unit 13includes a display screen 21 serving as a display unit that displaysinformation transmitted from the MFP 11 and a content input by a user.The image reading unit 14 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 22serving as a document conveying device that conveys a document set at asetting position to a reading position. The image reading unit 14 readsthe image of a document set on the ADF 22 or a platen for placing adocument. The sheet feeding cassette 16 is capable of accommodatingmultiple sheets on the inside. Based on image data of a document read bythe image reading unit 14 or image data transmitted via the network 26,the image forming unit 15 forms and prints an image on a sheet conveyedfrom the sheet feeding cassette 16. The MFP hard disk 17 stores datarelating to image formation such as received image data, which istransmitted from the server 31, and an image forming condition that hasbeen input.

Furthermore, the first control unit 12 includes an inquiring unit 41, adetermining unit 42, a requesting unit 43, and an instructing unit 44.In a case where the operating unit 13 accepts an input of a registrationID, the inquiring unit 41 inquires the server 31 for a printingcondition of image data, which is registered in association with theimage data. The MFP network interface unit 18, which operates as areceiving unit, receives the printing condition, which is transmittedfrom the server 31. The determining unit 42 determines whether the MFP11 conforms with the received printing condition. In a case where thedetermining unit 42 determines that the MFP 11 conforms with theprinting condition, the requesting unit 43 requests the server 31 fordownloading of the image data. The instructing unit 44 controls theimage forming unit 15 to form an image on a sheet, based on the imagedata downloaded from the server 31.

Next, below is an explanation of a configuration of the server 31. Theserver 31 includes a CPU, etc. Further, the server 31 includes: a secondcontrol unit 32 that controls the server 31 itself; a server networkinterface unit 33 for connecting to the network 26; and a server harddisk 34 serving as a storage unit, which stores data such as image data.The second control unit 32 has the same type of configuration as theabove-described first control unit 12. That is, the second control unit32 includes a primary storage memory for temporarily storing data and isconfigured with a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (ReadOnly Memory), and the like. The processor is a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit), an ASIC, an MCU, or the like. The second control unit 32functions as a below-described downloading unit 37, etc., and entirelycontrols the server 31 when a control program stored in theabove-described ROM or primary storage memory is executed by theabove-described processor. Note that each component of the secondcontrol unit 32 as described above may be configured with a hardwarecircuit, not by operation based on the above-described control program.

Here, in the server hard disk 34, a registration ID and a printingcondition are stored in association with each image data. That is, forexample, in association with image data X, registration ID “123” andprinting condition “Y” are registered and stored. Printing condition “Y”is a printing condition indicating, for example, that the manufacturingyear of the MFP 11 is within three years, that it is within three monthsfrom the last maintenance, and that a toner guarantee is granted.

Next, below is an explanation of a specific configuration of the secondcontrol unit 32. The second control unit 32 includes a firsttransmitting unit 36 and a downloading unit 37. In a case of an inquiryfrom the inquiring unit 41 for a printing condition, the firsttransmitting unit 36 is controlled to transmit a printing condition tothe MFP 11. In a case of a request from the requesting unit 43 fordownloading of image data, the downloading unit 37 controls the MFP 11to download the image data. The configurations of the above units aredescribed later in detail.

Next, below is an explanation of a processing flow in a case ofdownloading image data from the server 31 to the MFP 11 and forming animage on a sheet in the image forming system 27. FIG. 2 is a flowchartillustrating the processing flow in a case of downloading image datafrom the server 31 to the MFP 11 and forming an image on a sheet in theimage forming system 27 according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

Here, it is assumed that User A utilizes the computer 24 to register andstore registration ID “123” and printing condition “Y” in associationwith image data X in the server hard disk 34 as described above. Then,User B, who is informed of information of registration ID “123” by UserA, utilizes the MFP 11 to perform printing.

With reference to FIG. 2, User B goes to a place where an MFP 11 isinstalled such as a convenience store. Then, through the operating unit13, User B inputs registration ID “123”, which is informed by User A andis associated with registration of image data X. Then, the operatingunit 13 accepts the input of the registration ID, which is registered inassociation with image data X (Step S11 in FIG. 2. Hereinafter, “Step”is omitted). In this case, the input of registration ID “123” isaccepted.

When the operating unit 13 accepts the input of the registration ID, theinquiring unit 41 inquires the server 31 via the network 26 for theprinting condition of image data X, which is registered in associationwith image data X (S12).

When the inquiring unit 41 inquires for the printing condition, thefirst transmitting unit 36 provided in the second control unit 32 iscontrolled to transmit the printing condition to the MFP 11 (S13). Thatis, data of printing condition “Y” stored in the server hard disk 34 inassociation with image data X is transmitted to the MFP 11 via thenetwork 26.

Then, the MFP network interface unit 18 receives printing condition “Y”,which is transmitted from the server 31 (S14). Then, the determiningunit 42 determines whether the MFP 11 conforms with the receivedprinting condition “Y” (S15). Specifically, whether the MFP 11 conformswith such a printing condition as the manufacturing year is within threeyears, it is within three months from the last maintenance, or a tonerguarantee is granted, is determined.

Then, in a case where the determining unit 42 determines that the MFP 11conforms with printing condition “Y” (YES in S15), the requesting unit43 requests the server 31 for downloading of image data X (S16). Then,the instructing unit 44 controls the image forming unit 15 to form, orto print, an image on a sheet, based on image data “X” downloaded fromthe server 31 (S17).

Contrarily, in a case where the determining unit 42 determines that theMFP 11 does not conform with printing condition “Y” (NO in S15), therequesting unit 43 terminates the processing without requesting theserver 31 for downloading of image data “X” (S18).

According to such an image forming system 27 as above, image data X isdownloaded to the MFP 11 and an image is formed on a sheet, based onimage data X, after it is determined that the MFP 11 conforms withprinting condition “Y”. That is, in a case where the determining unit 42determines that the MFP 11 does not conform with printing condition “Y”,the requesting unit 43 terminates the processing without requesting fordownloading image data “X”. Therefore, it is possible to reliablyperform printing as intended by a user.

Furthermore, the image forming method according to this disclosure is animage forming method in which an image is formed by use of a server 31,which is capable of storing image data, and an MFP 11 serving as animage forming apparatus, which is connected to the server 31 via anetwork 26 and forms an image. The image forming method includes a stepof accepting, a step of inquiring, a step of receiving, a step ofdetermining, a step of requesting, a step of controlling to from animage on a sheet, a step of storing, a step of controlling to transmit aprinting condition, and a step of controlling to download. In the stepof accepting, an input of a registration ID, which is registered inassociation with image data, is accepted by the MFP 11. In the step ofinquiring, in a case where the input of the registration ID is accepted,the server 31 is inquired for the printing condition of the image data,which is registered in association with the image data. In the step ofreceiving, the MFP 11 receives the printing condition transmitted fromthe server 31. In the step of determining, whether the MFP 11 conformswith the received printing condition is determined. In the step ofrequesting, in a case where it is determined that the MFP 11 conformswith the printing condition, the server 31 is requested for downloadingof the image data. In the step of controlling to form an image on asheet, a control to form an image on a sheet, based on the image datadownloaded from the server 31, is performed. In the step of storing, theregistration ID and the printing condition are stored in the server 31in association with image data. In the step of controlling to transmitthe printing condition, in a case where the server 31 is inquired forthe printing condition, a control to transmit the printing condition tothe MFP 11 is performed. In the step of controlling to download, in acase where downloading of the image data is requested to the server 31,a control to cause the MFP 11 to download the image data is performed.With such a configuration as above, it is possible to reliably performprinting as intended by a user.

Note that there may be a configuration in which User B is able to accessto image data X in the server 31 and check the printing condition beforeissuing a print request to the MFP 11. With this configuration, it ispossible to search for an MFP 11 that conforms with the printingcondition of image data X to perform printing with. Furthermore, atleast it is possible to determine whether an MFP 11 for usual useconforms with the printing condition.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in a case where thedetermining unit 42 determines that the MFP 11 does not conform withprinting condition “Y”, the processing is terminated without requestingfor downloading of image data X. However, this disclosure is not limitedthereto, and the image forming system 27 may have the followingconfiguration. That is, in a case where the determining unit 42determines that the MFP 11 does not conform with the printing condition,the operating unit 13 serving as the accepting unit accepts a change ofthe printing condition. In a case where a changed printing condition isaccepted by the accepting unit, the inquiring unit 41 inquires theserver 31 whether to approve the change of the printing condition. In acase where the change of the printing condition, which is inquired bythe inquiring unit 41, is approved, the requesting unit 43 requests theserver 31 for downloading of the image data. The above configuration ispossible.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in a case ofdownloading image data from the server 31 to the MFP 11 and forming animage on a sheet in an image forming system 27 according to anotherembodiment of this disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, since the processing of S21 to S28 is similarto the processing of S11 to S18 illustrated in FIG. 2, explanationthereof is omitted. Here, in S25, in a case where the determining unit42 determines that the MFP 11 does not conform with a printing condition(NO in S25), the accepting unit accepts a change of the printingcondition (S29). The change of the printing condition is performed, forexample, on the display screen 21 of the operating unit 13. In thiscase, specifically, for example, the condition of the manufacturing yearis changed from within 3 years into within 6 years. In a case where achanged printing condition is accepted by the accepting unit (YES inS29), the inquiring unit 41 inquires the server 31 and User A via thenetwork 26 whether to approve the change of the printing condition(S30). Here, for example, the server 31 further inquires User A via thenetwork 26 whether to approve the change of the printing condition.Then, in a case where the change of the printing condition “Y”, which isinquired by the inquiring unit 41, is approved (YES in S30), therequesting unit 43 requests the server 31 for downloading of image dataX (S26). Then, downloaded image data X is printed under the changedprinting condition (S27).

With this configuration, User B can obtain a printing object on which animage is formed, based on image data X, with an agreement from User A onthe change of the printing condition.

Note that, in a case where the change of the printing condition, whichis inquired by the inquiring unit 41, is not approved (NO in S30), therequesting unit 43 may terminate the processing without requesting theserver 31 for downloading of image data X (S28). In this way, it ispossible to achieve printing intended by User A. Further, in a casewhere the change of the printing condition in not accepted (NO in S29),the processing is terminated without executing the download as well(S28).

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the change of the printingcondition, which is inquired for by the inquiring unit 41, is approved,the downloading unit 37 may be controlled, at the time of downloadingimage data X to the MFP 11, to add a mark indicating prohibition of atleast one of duplicating and scanning of a printing object, in which animage is formed based on the downloaded image data, and to download theimage data. In this way, for example, it is possible to prevent aprinting object with low quality, which is not intended by User A, fromspreading. For example, the mark may be added as a digital watermark ormay be added as an image on the outside of the imaging areacorresponding to image data X.

Furthermore, there may be the following configuration. In theconfiguration, the MFP 11 further includes a second transmitting unitthat transmits an image of a printing object. For example, operation ofthe second transmitting unit may be transmission, etc., of an image readby the ADF 22 to another computer via the network 26. In a case ofdetecting that the second transmitting unit transmits an image of aprinting object, the inquiring unit 41 inquires whether to approve thetransmission of the image of a printing object. In a case where thetransmission of the image of a printing object is approved in responseto the inquiry from the inquiring unit 41, the second transmitting unitis controlled to transmit the image of a printing object. With thisconfiguration, it is possible to transmit a printing object, based on anagreement from User A.

Note that in the above-described embodiment, there may be aconfiguration in which the MFP 11 further includes a notifying unit sothat, in a case where the determining unit 42 determines that the MFP 11does not conform with a printing condition, the notifying unit notifiesof information indicating an MFP that conforms with the printingcondition. In this way, it is possible to attend to needs of User B todownload and print image data X. In this case, the notification may bemade by inquiring for a printing condition of another MFP that isconnected via the network 26 and, for example, displaying the inquiryresult on the display screen 21 of the operating unit 13.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, there may be aconfiguration in which the requesting unit 43 is controlled to requestthe server 31 for downloading of image data X regardless of adetermination result of the determining unit 42 and, in a case where thedetermining unit 42 determines that the MFP 11 conforms with a printingcondition, the instructing unit 44 is controlled to cause the imageforming unit 15 to form an image on a sheet, based on the image datadownloaded from the server 31. In this way, while downloading of imagedata X is completed, it is possible to form an image on a sheet, basedon a determination result of the determining unit 42. Therefore, in acase where the MFP 11 newly conforms with a printing condition, e.g., ina case where a printing condition is not cleared due to a maintenanceperiod but once a maintenance is carried out, printing is possible basedon image data X without downloading.

Furthermore, the server serving as an information processing apparatusaccording to this disclosure may have the following configuration. Thatis, a server as an information processing apparatus is capable ofstoring image data and is connected via a network to an MFP that formsan image. The server includes a storage unit, an acquiring unit, adetermining unit, and a downloading unit. The storage unit stores aregistration ID and a printing condition in association with image data.In response to a request from an image forming apparatus for downloadingof the image data, the acquiring unit acquires the printing condition ofthe image forming apparatus. The determining unit determines whether theprinting condition of the image forming apparatus, which is acquired bythe acquiring unit, conforms with a printing condition stored in thestorage unit in association with the image data. In a case where thedetermining unit determines that the printing condition of the imageforming apparatus conforms with the printing condition stored in thestorage unit in association with the image data, the downloading unitcontrols the image forming apparatus to download the image data. In thisway, it is possible for the server to determine whether the printingcondition of the image forming apparatus conforms with the printingcondition stored in the storage unit in association with the image dataso as to control availability of downloading. Therefore, it is possibleto reliably perform printing as intended by a user.

Noted that it should be understood that the embodiment disclosed hereinis entirely an example and is not limitative in terms of any aspect. Thescope of this disclosure is not defined by the above explanation but bythe claims, and it is intended that all modifications within meaning anda scope equivalent to the claims are included.

The image forming system, the information processing apparatus, and theimage forming method according to this disclosure are particularlyeffective for use in a case where it is required to reliably performprinting as intended by a user.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming system comprising: a servercapable of storing image data; and an image forming apparatus connectedto the server via a network and configured to form an image, wherein theimage forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured toform the image on a sheet, based on the image data; an accepting unitconfigured to accept an input of a registration ID, which is registeredin association with the image data; an inquiring unit configured toinquire the server for a printing condition of the image data in a casewhere the input of the registration ID is accepted by the acceptingunit, the printing condition being registered in association with theimage data; a receiving unit configured to receive the printingcondition, which is transmitted from the server; a determining unitconfigured to determine whether the image forming apparatus conformswith the printing condition received by the receiving unit; a requestingunit configured to request the server for downloading of the image datain a case where the determining unit determines that the image formingapparatus conforms with the printing condition; and an instructing unitconfigured to control the image forming unit to form the image on thesheet, based on the image data downloaded from the server, and whereinthe server includes: a storage unit configured to store the registrationID and the printing condition in association with the image data; afirst transmitting unit configured to transmit the printing condition tothe image forming apparatus in a case where the inquiring unit inquiresfor the printing condition; and a downloading unit configured to controlthe image forming apparatus to download the image data in a case wherethe requesting unit requests for downloading of the image data.
 2. Theimage forming system according to claim 1, wherein the requesting unitterminates processing without requesting for downloading of the imagedata in a case where the determining unit determines that the imageforming apparatus does not conform with the printing condition.
 3. Theimage forming system according to claim 1, wherein the accepting unitaccepts a change of the printing condition in a case where thedetermining unit determines that the image forming apparatus does notconform with the printing condition, wherein the inquiring unit inquiresthe server whether to approve the change of the printing condition in acase where the accepting unit accepts the printing condition which hasbeen changed, and wherein the requesting unit requests the server fordownloading of the image data in a case where the change of the printingcondition is approved, the change of the printing condition beinginquired for by the inquiring unit.
 4. The image forming systemaccording to claim 3, wherein the requesting unit terminates processingwithout requesting for downloading of the image data in a case where thechange of the printing condition is not approved, the change of theprinting condition being inquired for by the inquiring unit.
 5. Theimage forming system according to claim 3, wherein, in the case wherethe change of the printing condition, which is inquired for by theinquiring unit, is approved, the downloading unit attaches a mark to aprinting object when controlling the image forming apparatus to downloadthe image data, the image being formed in the printing object based onthe downloaded image data, the mark indicating prohibition of at leastone of duplicating and scanning of the printing object.
 6. The imageforming system according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatusfurther includes a second transmitting unit configured to transmit animage of the printing object, wherein, in a case where transmission ofthe image of the printing object, which is performed by the secondtransmitting unit, is detected, the inquiring unit inquires whether toapprove the transmission of the image of the printing object, andwherein, in a case where the transmission of the image of the printingobject, which is inquired for by the inquiring unit, is approved, thesecond transmitting unit is controlled to transmit the image of theprinting object.
 7. The image forming system according to claim 1,wherein the image forming apparatus further includes a notifying unitconfigured to notify of information about another image formingapparatus in a case where the determining unit determines that the imageforming apparatus does not conform with the printing condition, the saidanother image forming apparatus conforming with the printing condition.8. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the requestingunit requests the server for downloading of the image data regardless ofa determination result of the determining unit, and wherein, in the casewhere the determining unit determines that the image forming apparatusconforms with the printing condition, the instructing unit controls theimage forming unit to form the image on the sheet, based on the imagedata downloaded from the server.
 9. An information processing apparatuscapable of storing image data and connected via a network to an imageforming apparatus that forms an image, the information processingapparatus comprising: a storage unit configured to store a registrationID and a printing condition in association with the image data; anacquiring unit configured to acquire a printing condition of the imageforming apparatus in response to a request from the image formingapparatus for downloading of the image data; a determining unitconfigured to determine whether the printing condition of the imageforming apparatus, which is acquired by the acquiring unit, conformswith the printing condition stored in the storage unit in associationwith the image data; and a downloading unit configured to control theimage forming apparatus to download the image data in a case where theprinting condition acquired by the acquiring unit conforms with theprinting condition stored in the storage unit.
 10. An image formingmethod for forming an image by use of a server capable of storing imagedata and an image forming apparatus connected to the server via anetwork and configured to form an image, the image forming methodcomprising: accepting an input of a registration ID, which is registeredin association with the image data, the accepting being performed by theimage forming apparatus; inquiring the server for a printing conditionof the image data in a case where the input of the registration ID isaccepted, the printing condition being registered in association withthe image data; receiving the printing condition, which is transmittedfrom the server, the receiving being performed by the image formingapparatus; determining whether the image forming apparatus conforms withthe received printing condition; requesting the server for downloadingof the image data in a case where it is determined that the imageforming apparatus conforms with the printing condition; forming theimage on the sheet, based on the image data downloaded from the server;storing the registration ID and the printing condition in the server inassociation with the image data; transmitting the printing condition tothe image forming apparatus in a case where the server is inquired forthe printing condition; and controlling the image forming apparatus todownload the image data in a case where the server is requested fordownloading of the image data.